I am trying to precisely control current limit of the LT3081 IC following this paper, page 12, schematic on page 14, but by using a microcontroller.
I'm controlling the output voltage with a 10kOhm, 8 bit, digital potentiometer, which I feed with 1.2mA constant current to make it regulate the output voltage between 0 and 12 V.
I'm trying to limit the output current from 1 mA to 1A, idealy with 1 mA step, without using more expensive 10 bit digital pots. By using a similar configuration as shown in the schematic for higher accuracy (pot + paralel res + series res), using one 10k, 8 bit, digital pot and considering the wiper resistance, I got to a point where I can control the current limit with a 7 mA step at lower values, and 2 mA steps as I get closer to 1 A limit.
Spreadsheet for 10k 8b values: link
Equation for current limit(from datasheet):
RILIM = ILIMIT/360mA/kΩ + 450Ω
Simplified equation: RILIM = ((ILIM*1000)/0.36) + 450
Simplified schematic:
simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab
My question is: Is there any other way for a more precise current limit control without using a higher step count (bit) digital pot?
Best Answer
An 8 bit pot gives you 2^8 possible taps (256) so at best you could manage slightly under 4mV steps.
A 10 bit pot has 2^10 steps (1024) so in theory could give you your 1mA resolution in a suitable circuit.
You are going to need a digipot that can handle 12V on the element, not a given as most of them are limited to within the logic supply voltage.
Were it me, I would be thinking in terms of setting a fixed current limit with this mechanism, then doing the current limit by using the Imon pin and an opamp or such to pull the set pin down on overcurrent, this has the advantage that such things as foldback limiting become possible, and both your control signals are now ground referenced and can be trivially generated.